Engine drive for vehicles



c. L. BARKLEY ENGINE DRIVE FOR VEHICLES Aug 1, 1944.

Filed July 18, 1942 R Z 5 wk N Na w 0 m .w a V A e w 2 M. C

Patented Aug. 1, 1944 iJNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE The instant inventionrelates to a drive for a vehicle from a dual engine, preferably, of thevariable cut-01f constant pressure type, and contemplates that the crankshaft of the engine be directly connected to the wheels of the vehicle.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a split or two-partcrank shaft to replace the normal axle of the vehicle and in which thereis a direct connection between the engine and the Vehicle wheels.

Still a further aim is to construct a crank shaft formed in two parts,laterally aligned, each 7 part being driven by an engine, preferablyoperable by compressed air or the like from a storage tank carried bythe vehicle.

The above and other aims and objects will be apparent from the detaileddescription hereinafter appearing when taken in conjunction with theappended drawing in which the single figure is a view partly in sectionand partly in elevation of my engine drive.

Referring now to the drawing the reference numeral I6 designates aportion of a vehicle of any desired type, the numerals II and I2identifying either the front or rear drive wheels thereof. Spacedlongitudinally extending chassis members I3 and I4 constitute supportfor a dual motor [5 and I5, said motors being similar and each embodyinga crank case I'I, pistons I8, a removable cylinder head I9, connectingrods 20 and crank shaft 2|. Each engine may be driven in any desiredmanner but preferably from a constant source of pressure contained in agas storage tank (not shown) carried by the vehicle, the operation ofthe dual engine being synchronized by means not forming a part of theinstant invention.

The crank shaft 2| for each of the motors I5 or IE is journalled in abearing 22, the opposite end of the crank shaft extending through theside wall 23 of the crank case I! for connection to drive wheels II andI2,

It will now be seen that there is provided a two-part aligned crankshaft, each part driven by its oWn engine. Accordingly, in the event oneof the drive wheels II or I2 should in any way be retarded, as forexample, by being mired, the other drive wheel would be useful inextricating the vehicle.

While the invention has been described in specific detail, it will beunderstood that various changes may be made in the constructiondescribed above, and it is contemplated to cover all such, and to belimited in this respect only as may be necessary by the scope of theclaim hereto appended.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a wheeled vehicle, a chassis, a dual engine supported thereby, acrank case and a crank shaft for, each engine, said crank case having atwo-part central bearing, said shafts being aligned

